Industry News Victoria Barker 21/06/2023

Wales rent control consultation: Register for a working group event this July

Landlords in Wales are being urged to share their views on rent controls by registering for a working group event, organised by the Welsh Government.

Six working groups have been set up as part of the consultation process for the Green Paper on Fair Rents and a Right to Adequate Housing, with private landlords and tenants invited to attend.

There are only a limited number of places for each working groups. On 6th July two working groups took place in Llandudno, and the next meetings will take place in the following locations:

Carmarthen 20th July

The Halliwell Conference Centre, College Road,
Carmarthen, SA31 3EP:
o 13:00 to 15:00: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/660275310227
o 17:00 to 19:00: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/660271739547

Cardiff on 25th July 

Sophia Gardens Cricket Ground, Sophia Walk, 
Pontcanna, CF11 9XR:
o 13:00 to 15:00: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/658299319987 FULL
o 17:00 to 19:00: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/660270265137

The Welsh Government is seeking your opinion on potential forms of rent control and adequate housing in Wales. The consultation closes on September 15th.

The consultation

In addition to getting involved in the working groups listed above, the NRLA is also urging members to respond to the consultation directly.

The consultation sets out a number of potential options for rent controls including following Scotland's example.

This is a green paper which means the government is not committed to introducing rent controls, only to exploring them. With that in mind we would strongly recommend landlords respond to this consultation directly with their opinions on how it would impact on their future investment choices before it becomes concrete policy. 

The NRLA will be responding to this consultation as well and we will be arguing that rent controls would be a disaster for the supply of homes in Wales. Particularly given landlords are still struggling with the implementation of Renting Homes (Wales). We are keen to hear from landlords and agents who want to provide case studies to add to our consultation response.

If you do wish to respond to the consultation, you have until 15th September 2023 to do this and can respond directly by clicking here.
•    Read the NRLA’s reaction at the time of the launch of the consultation here.